Project News

Join us for the Grand Celebration

February 15, 2023 from 10 a.m. – Noon
9th Avenue – 7th Street & the Grand Canal
The Grand Canalscape project will create a nearly 12-mile continuous trail system along the Grand Canal from 1-17 to the Phoenix/Tempe border and is part of a larger regional trail and crossing project, which will ultimately result in a continuous trail along the Grand Canal between Glendale and Temp Arizona Forward, a local organization. The Canalscape vision was further supported by the ReinventPHX community outreach effort in which residents voiced strong support for canal bank improvements along the Grand Canal.
Grand Canalscape Project Goals:

  • Develop a safe, convenient route for bicycle and pedestrian traffic along the bank of the Grand Canal including improved crossings where streets intersect with the canal.
  • Re-integrate the canal into surrounding neighborhoods through landscaping enhancements and neighborhood access points to the path providing better visibility, and ultimately appreciation of the canal system in Phoenix.
The Grand Canalscape Project is overseen by the City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department and the City’s Office of Arts and Culture
Image

Grand Canalscape

Overview

Phase I

Segments

  • 15th Avenue to 16th Street
  • 36th Street to 40th Street

Design / Improvements

Phase I will enhance the Grand Canal from approximately 15th Avenue to 16th Street and Indian School Road (Uptown Area) and near 36th Street terminating at 40th Street (Gateway North).  For the Uptown Area, the improvements include a multi-use commuter path along the north bank, pedestrian lighting, landscaping, public art elements, neighborhood links to local streets, and signalized trail crossings at Seventh Avenue, Central Avenue, and Seventh Street.  For Gateway North, a neighborhood path is proposed primarily along the south bank with neighborhood links to the local streets and minor public art elements along the pathway.

Timeline

  • Construction Starting - September 2022
  • Expected Completion – Summer 2023

Funding

Phase I is funded by the City of Phoenix and Salt River Project under the Municipal Aesthetics Program.

Phase II

Segments

  • I-17 to 15th Avenue
  • 16th Street to 36th Street
  • 40th Street to the Phoenix/Tempe border at 56th Street

Design / Improvements

Design of Phase II of the Grand Canalscape project is now underway. The project is composed of three segments located along the Grand Canal alignment: Segment One from I-17 to 15th Avenue, Segment Two from 16th Street to 36th Street, and Segment Three, from 40th Street to the Phoenix/Tempe border at 56th Street.

The combined segments of Grand Canalscape Phase II total nearly eight miles of trail which will connect to the trail system developed in Phase I, creating a continuous multimodal trail from I-17 to the Phoenix/Tempe border at 56th Street.

The Grand Canalscape Phase II project improvements will include a hard surface trail along the north bank of the Grand canal, dusk-to-dawn lighting, neighborhood connections at some local streets, and signalized crossings where streets intersect with the canal. 

Timeline

  • Construction Starting April 2022
  • Expected Completion Fall 2023

Funding

Phase II funding includes federal funds through a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program, Salt River Project (SRP) Aesthetics Fund, and City of Phoenix funds.

Grand Canalscape

Improvements By The Numbers

10
Miles of New Trail
18
New Street Crossings
17
Neighborhood Connections

Grand Canalscape

In the Press

Phoenix Wins $10.3 Million Grant to Expand Development of Grand Canal Path

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The City of Phoenix has won a $10.3 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant to build eight miles of paved multi-use path, high-intensity crosswalk beacons and pedestrian bridges along the Grand Canal. The improvements, the second phase of the Grand Canalscape project, will complete the trail along the waterway from...

[KTAR] Phoenix-area canals to be transformed in ‘Grand Canalscape’ project

An effort is underway to transform Phoenix-area canals into great public areas. The Grand Canalscape project would use art, landscaping and improved access to turn canals in the Valley into a continuous trail through Phoenix, Glendale and Tempe. Supporters of the project say Valley canals have been a mess. “For...

[KJZZ] Phoenix Seeks Input for ‘Grand Canalscape’

The City of Phoenix is asking residents for input this weekend on a project to enhance its canal thoroughfares. The Grand Canalscape will be designed to provide a safe route for bicyclists and pedestrians away from car traffic and will help integrate the city’s canals into surrounding communities. In the...

Grand Canalscape

Affiliates

Image
Image